Maxime Vachier-Lagrave vs Magnus Carlsen, Opera Euro Rapid KO 2021

Ruy Lopez (C95) · ½-½ (Draw) · 72 moves · Round 2.12 · 11 February 2021

♔
White
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
½ – ½
Black
Magnus Carlsen
♚
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Moves
0 / 143

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMaxime Vachier-Lagrave
  • BlackMagnus Carlsen
  • Result½-½ · Draw
  • EventOpera Euro Rapid KO 2021
  • Round2.12
  • Date11 February 2021
  • OpeningRuy Lopez (C95)
  • Length72 moves
  • Type of eventRapid

This is game 106 of 208 between Magnus Carlsen and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in the Rama Chess database (2005–2025). In all their games Carlsen leads 78–44 with 86 draws.

Previous game: Carlsen vs Vachier-Lagrave, ½-½ (Opera Euro Rapid Prelim, 2021).

Next game: Carlsen vs Vachier-Lagrave, 1-0 (Opera Euro Rapid KO 2021, 2021).

Carlsen vs Vachier-Lagrave: all 208 gamesAll Carlsen games at Opera Euro Rapid KO 2021Carlsen in the Ruy LopezCarlsen games of 2021Maxime Vachier-Lagrave profile

The moves of Maxime Vachier-Lagrave vs Magnus Carlsen, Opera Euro Rapid KO 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.c3 d6 9.h3 Nb8 10.d4 Nbd7 11.Nbd2 Bb7 12.Bc2 Re8 13.Nf1 Bf8 14.Ng3 g6 15.a4 Nb6 16.a5 Nbd7 17.b4 Bg7 18.d5 Rc8 19.Bb3 c6 20.dxc6 Rxc6 21.Qc2 Qc8 22.Qa2 Re7 23.Bb2 Bh6 24.Rad1 Bf4 25.Nf1 Rc7 26.N1d2 Qa8 27.Qb1 Nf8 28.c4 bxc4 29.Nxc4 Bxe4 30.Nb6 Qc6 31.Rxe4 Qxe4 32.Qxe4 Nxe4 33.Nd5 Red7 34.g3 Bh6 35.Re1 Nd2 36.Nxd2 Bxd2 37.Rd1 Bxb4 38.Nxb4 Rc5 39.Nxa6 Rxa5 40.Bc4 d5 41.Bd3 d4 42.Bc1 e4 43.Bc4 Ra1 44.Nc5 Rc7 45.Nb3 Rb1 46.Rxd4 Ne6 47.Bxe6 fxe6 48.Rxe4 Rxb3 49.Be3 Rc6 50.Ra4 Rb7 51.Kg2 Kf7 52.Ra5 Rd6 53.h4 Rd5 54.Ra8 Rbd7 55.Rh8 Kf6 56.Rf8+ Kg7 57.Re8 Kf7 58.Rh8 h5 59.Ra8 e5 60.Kf3 Ke6 61.Rg8 Kf7 62.Ra8 Rb5 63.Ra6 Rb4 64.Bg5 e4+ 65.Kg2 Rd1 66.Rf6+ Kg7 67.Re6 Ra4 68.Re7+ Kf8 69.Re6 Re1 70.Be3 Kf7 71.Re5 Rb4 72.Bd2 1/2-1/2

This marathon sees Maxime Vachier-Lagrave take on Magnus Carlsen at Opera Euro Rapid KO 2021 in 2021. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

From Ruy Lopez (C95) the players entered classical development and rapid piece play. Such positions test classical principles: development, centre, king safety.

At 72 moves this was a long, demanding struggle that rewarded stamina and precise endgame technique.

Magnus Carlsen is one of the grandmasters featured in the RamaChess archive, where you can browse their complete game collection, favourite openings and notable wins.

Replaying a complete grandmaster game shows not just the moves, but the order in which plans appear and where the balance finally tips.

After the contest, the game was drawn between Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Magnus Carlsen. Step through the moves on the interactive board above and try the position trainer to sharpen your own play.

Frequently asked questions

What is the head-to-head record of Magnus Carlsen and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave?

In the 208 games between them in our database (2005 to 2025) Carlsen leads 78–44 with 86 draws. This game is number 106 of 208.

Where and when was Maxime Vachier-Lagrave vs Magnus Carlsen played?

At the Opera Euro Rapid KO 2021, round 2.12, on 11 February 2021.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (White) and Magnus Carlsen (Black), at Opera Euro Rapid KO 2021 in 2021.

What opening was played?

The game used Ruy Lopez (ECO code C95). Classical development and rapid piece play.

What was the result?

The game was drawn between Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Magnus Carlsen.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 72 moves (143 plies).

Can I replay this game move by move?

Yes. Use the interactive board on this page to step through every move, or open the analyser and Practice mode.

Where can I find more games like this?

Browse the full Ruy Lopez collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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